Horton giant cell arteritis of the legs is a very rare and unusual occ
urrence. A very interesting case of acute ischemia of the right leg in
a 51-year-old woman treated with emergency thromboendarterectomy is d
escribed. Histological findings led to the diagnosis of Horton giant c
ell arteritis and the patient was submitted to steroid and vascular th
erapy. Good results were obtained and follow-up after five years confi
rms the good general condition of the patient.